Business & Economy
Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association signs commercial agreement with the American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industries
After days of negotiations over the terms of a commercial agreement between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and the American Sugar Refinery (ASR)/Belize Sugar Industries (BSI), the two parties finally inked the new contract on Monday evening, January 8th. The negotiations occurred at the Yo Creek Agricultural Station near Orange Walk Town in northern Belize, where Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño acted as mediator.
Community and Society
Annual charity gala held to benefit island first responders
For the second time, the annual First Responders Charity Gala and Auction occurred at Playa De Sala Adults Only Boutique Hotel south of San Pedro Town. The highly anticipated event benefiting the San Pedro Police Formation, Fire Service, and Ambulance Service repeated another unforgettable evening of glamor, generosity, and gratitude honoring the island’s dedicated first responders.
Community and Society
Road rehabilitation to soon start on Secret Beach Road
Over the past months, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has been busy upgrading the street/road networks across the island. These upgrades include an ambitious project to pave 7.5 miles covering subdivisions south of town, through downtown, and ending north by the San Mateo area. Other works include the rehabilitation of the southern road, which was recently completed. The next phase will address the conditions of the Secret Beach Road north of San Pedro, with work set to start on January 15th.
Community and Society
Editorial: Editors Response to Letters to the Editor
There is no debate that the clearing of mangroves on Ambergris Caye is of great concern to many who live here. It is troubling that although these vital trees are protected by the government, permits are issued to clear them or there is little enforcement when they are illegally cleared. Here lies a key problem. Belize has many laws in place to protect our environment with little to no enforcement.
Community and Society
Letters to the Editor: Destruction of our Iguana Sanctuary
To Whom This May Concern: I am a Belizean Citizen living on Ambergris Caye for the past 27 years. I have fought for our fragile...
Community and Society
Regulations set to enhance safety at Central Park Playground
In April 2023, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) installed a new playground set at Central Park. The playground brought much joy to island children and families who visit the park daily for recreational purposes. However, only nine months later, it had to be removed for repairs after it received damage that could cause accidents. The SPTC is now reinstalling the playground and has set new guidelines to ensure the children's safety and secure the facilities' longevity.
Community and Society
Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association accepts compromise negotiated with the American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industries
On Thursday, January 4th, tensions between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and the American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industries (ASR/BSI) came to an end after the cane farmers accepted the renegotiated commercial agreement regarding the delivery of sugarcane to the factory. Some of the main hurdles were the throughput charges, terminal fees the BSCFA members were expected to pay, and their demands for fair-trade premiums payments for the previous two crop seasons.
Community and Society
BEL conducts Mangrove alteration to upgrade power supply in San Pedro; Iguana Sanctuary affected
The cutting of mangroves within a property owned by Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) in San Pedro Town has not only raised eyebrows in the conservation community but also those supporting an Iguana Sanctuary established on the said property by an islander that is now affected by such development. BEL explained the need to access this section of their property to prepare the grounds to install 10 MW of battery storage to address the growth in demand for power on the island and increase the reliability and sustainability of the electricity supply.